Ann Arbor and Saline Michigan Real Estate

Remembering Pearl Harbor December 7th, 1941

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:02:58 -0600

On our recent trip to the Washington, D. C. area we visited Arlington Cemetery. Even though it was rainy and windy, I had to stop at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. (now known at the Tomb of the Unknowns)

On December 7th, 1941, Pearl Harbor was hit by a surprise attack killing 2403 men along with the 188 planes destroyed and 8 fleets destroyed or damaged.

On December 8th, 1941 President Roosevelt signed the Declaration of War.

Today we honor the men and woman who died that day.

The World War II Memorial was dedicated on July 23, 1998.

Each of these 4000 gold stars represents 400,000 Americans who gave their life. In WWII gold stars meant family sacrifice.

When you visit Arlington, the WWII Monument and all the other monuments and memorials in D.C. you can't help but realize the sacrifice that was paid for our Freedom and Liberty.

As I sit here this morning reflecting on our history, I can not help but believe that that as individuals we have a right to live freely because of the price that has been paid for us throughtout our history. That men and woman sacrificed and died and paid a high price for that.

Our Founding Fathers knew that the greatest threat to Liberty was an all powerful central government where the few dictate to the many. Federal government should be confined to ONLY what is allowed in the Constitution and nothing more. Yet, every day we see more of our individual liberties taken away.

Liberty once lost is rarely recovered, so we must teach our children and know the principals of self-government and what our Founders meant when they w

Those sacred documents have connected each of us to past generations. The individual, you and me but be allowed to progress and improve without more government regulations and taxes that enslave us.

There are many of us blogging here, that had family members who fought in WW II. My dad was in the Army and Mike's father was in the Navy. Today, I honor them today.

I welcome you to share your memories and honor your loved one here.

Speechless Sunday, Michigan at the WWII Monument

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 11:26:59 -0600

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Missy Caulk & Team can be reached at 734-216-2822 or email: Missy@MissyCaulk.com

Our TEAM of 6 buyer associates are available to help you relocate to Ann Arbor, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Milan, Ypsilanti Township, Clinton, Manchester, Whitmore Lake, or throughout Washtenaw County, MI.

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Foreseeably Harder Approvals: FHA gets tough

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:45:11 -0600

Ann Arbor and Saline future home buyers.

FHA home loans are abou to get harder. Most of the home buyers in Ann Arbor and Saline are going FHA. It appears with so many foreclosures, that the reserve is getting low.

Some of the solutions proposed by Shaun Donovan are below in my friend and lenders post.

Don't wait, search the Ann Arbor Area MLS.

Via Ken Cook, FHA Home Loans 678-439-8683:

For many years home mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) have made home ownership possible for millions of home owners. During the "boom" FHA loans lost a lot of ground in the marketplace because non-conforming loans were often easier to get and cost the borrower less scrutiny and often less out of pocket. (More on Examiner.com from my article this morning.)

Welcome the day when Housing and Urban Development Secretary (HUD) Shaun Donovan stood in front of Congress and reported the reserves of the FHA insurance pool to be only .53% - far below the federally mandated, by law, 2% reserves. As you may imagine Mr. Donovan, in an effort to save his job, is now scrambling for good ideas to get those reserves back to the minimum legal level. Let us all observe as the fireman tries to put out a big fire while his own pants are on fire.

Here are some of the recommendations thus far:

Raise the required minimum down payment from 3.5% to 5%

Lower the maximum seller contribution from 6% to 3%

Establish a required minimum credit score

Eliminate the ability to finance the Up Front Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP) into the loan

Raise the cost of FHA mortgage insurance (higher premiums)

Currently it is much more difficult to be approved for a home loan, purchase or refinance, than it was two years ago or even six months ago. Mortgage brokers are not dropping like flies they have already dropped like flies and the remaining small percentage are having great difficulty getting loans underwritten and closed when they involve lower credit, lower income borrowers. Mid-level lenders are now the ones who are disappearing as they still lose warehouse lines of credit at an astonishing rate. This week saw the demise of LendAmerica.

Judging from the applications I have accepted and closed over the last few months these changes will absolutely impact at least 25% of the borrowers who have successfully purchased or refinanced their homes in the last few months. In fact I have two borrowers today who easily qualify who will likely not qualify if these changes are made. Considering I'm one out of tens of thousands go ahead and do the math.

Just wait ... it's not only FHA - it's Fannie, then Freddie and Ginnie. We predicted it a few months ago that it would not be long until buyers would need a minimum of 5% down, a minimum of a 640 credit score and rates would start to rise.

Are you ready to pay attention even if you don't get CEs for participating in the conference calls? If I were an agent I would be - I would want to be ahead of the curve!

Ken Cook - Georgia - FHA, USDA, VA and Conventional Home Loans (678) 439-8683

Saline Christmas Parade 2009

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:02:53 -0600

The annual Christmas Parade will be held this Saturday, December 5th from 5:30 til 8:00 in downtown Saline, Michigan

The theme this year is "The Spirit of Christmas Future."

This is one of my favorite events, the whole town shows up and just about every child you know is participating through their Boy or Girl Scout Troops, Dance Alliance, The Saline Marching Band, floats from many of the local churches and day care centers.

I attended my first Christmas Parade when Allyssa who is now 19 was a nursing baby and boy was it snowing. I enjoy running into past clients, friends and Saline Chamber members.

The Kiwanas Club is always on hand giving out FREE hot chocolate and popcorn.

The Saline Parade is the kick off for all the other Christmas activities in Saline during the coming weeks.

Santa's Mailbox, which is offered in front of Mac's Arcadian Seafood restaurant in downtown Saline. The mailbox will be open through Dec. 17 and is sponsored by the Saline Chamber of Commerce.

A tree lighting ceremony will be held 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at the corner of Michigan Avenue and North Ann Arbor Street in front of KeyBank. The "official" Saline Christmas tree will be lit up. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served.

    Saline Cooperative Preschool is hosting Stories with Santa from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. and 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at 6299 Ann Arbor-Saline Road. There will be crafts, hot chocolate, cookies and a bake sale. The cost for a child is $6 and there is a $3 fee for a picture of your child with Santa mailed to your home with a note from Santa. To purchase tickets in advance, call 429-0685.

    The Saline Area Players will put on "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" 7 p.m. Dec. 4, 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Dec. 5, and 1 p.m. Dec. 6 at 117 S. Ann Arbor St.

    The Saline Craft Show will be held from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Saline Middle School.

    The Foundation for Saline Area Schools will host a Christmas in the Barn from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 5 at 290 Bemis Road in Saline.

    Saline's Holiday Parade and Santa's Village will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5 along Michigan Avenue.

    The Saline Recreation Center will host an open house from noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 6.

    The Saline Recreation Center will host a Holiday Movie Night from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and 7:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10. The center will also hold Pj's and Stories with Santa from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 10.

    Varsity Blues will hold "On with the Snow" from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 11 and Dec. 12 at Saline Middle School.

    The Saline Area Historical Society will hold its Christmas to Rentschler Farm from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 12 and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 13.

    The Saline Chamber of Commerce will hold Treasure Trail to Santa from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Busch's Shopping Center Dec. 12.

     The Saline Recreation Center will hold a Winter Kids Camp over Christmas Break.

The first week of camp will be held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 21 through Dec. 24. The second week of camp will be held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 28 to Dec. 31.

Lots of things to do in Saline, Michigan the next few weeks.

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Missy Caulk & Team can be reached at 734-216-2822 or email: Missy@MissyCaulk.com

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Interactive Charts for Saline, Michigan

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:36:53 -0600

Saline Michigan want to know how the market is doing in your area?

Play around with these interactive flash charts for Saline, Michigan, scroll aound with your cursor, to see the different months and what the price point was for that month. You can also look at Days on the Market and compare.

These charts and data provided by Altos Research.

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5686 Cary Dr. Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197 Short Sale

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:54:42 -0600

5686 Cary Dr, in Ypsilanti Township is for sale. The home will be sold as a short sale.

My clients have moved, they had tenants on a 2 year lease hoping the market would come back and they could be made whole. It didn't work out.

Listed this gorgeous home on Monday, November 23rd for $159,900.

We had an over asking price offer after the first showing. The buyer agent says they are in for the long haul.( Fingers crossed)

Local Michigan Bank has the mortgage. (Fingers crossed)

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Interactive Data for Ann Arbor with Flash Charts

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:43:52 -0600

Ann Arbor buyers and sellers, you can now use this interactive chart to view market data for Ann Arbor.

Go ahead move your cursor around the chart and check out different time frames and interact with the chart.

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Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester and Ypsilanti Market Reports

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:17:06 -0600

Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester and Ypsilanti Michigan market data.

Below you will see a chart that is comparing the Average Price and the Average Days on the Market. All the area's in Washtenaw County have a longer time on the market. According to the data the more expensive the house the longer it is going to take to sell.

Chelsea is about 15 miles West of Ann Arbor.

Dexter is about 5 miles West of Ann Arbor.

Manchester is aprox. 10 miles outside Saline and Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township is East of Ann Arbor.

You can sign up to receive market reports once a month on Ann Arbor Real Estate Talk. There are live reports available to view and they change weekly on Ann Arbor Real Estate.

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CMA's for Leads

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:12:21 -0600

How do you handle CMA requests for leads? or...people that visit your web site and ask for a valuation on their property?

Most of the leads I get are buyer leads, but they do have the ability to request a CMA at the same time.

This is what I have found to be the best course of action.

I call them if they left their number.
I check the MLS to see if the home is currently listed, some area.
If it is listed I send an email and tell them that I see their home is currently listed, I ask if it is ready to expire or if they are just looking for a second opinion. Most of the time, they are just looking for a second opinion and I don't hear back.

If they really want to find out what their home is worth, I will ask them if I could do a quick 10 minute walk through of their home to give them an exact price range.

This is the most effective.

Occasionally they would rather I just send them information on the neighborhood. Which I am glad to do.

I send the following things.

My pre-lisiting questionairre.
Marketing plan
Both Actives and Solds in their neighborhood
I put it in CMA format and I do not make ANY adjustments. You can not adjust for home you have not been in, but you can get a rough idea based on neighborhood sales.
When I attach the CMA to the email I make sure I tell them again, this is just the current activity in their neighborhood and that to get a exact price point, I would need to walk through the home or condo.

Most of the time they are appreciative of all the information and we schedule a time to get together. Sometimes they are just trying to get a rough idea before they start to look at homes.

The point is doing a CMA is a skill and takes time. I am happy to help folks out, but I am not an automatic evaluation service. That is why I check the MLS before going one step further. Many times online leads don't realize that it is a real life person that does the market analysis. They think it is just a computer doing it.

Typically I spend 2-3 hours on a market analysis. I've been told that is tooooooo long of time, but getting that sweet spot to list a home at is so important.

Starting off with the right sales price is critical to getting the home sold. Do I ever list a home that is "slightly" over priced. Yes I do but this means no more than 10%, with a guaranteed price reduction in 30 days.

This happened to me last night and I realized I had not blogged on it.

Hope it helps .

7799 Silver Plume, Brighton, Mi 48114

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:00:32 -0600

7799 Silver Plume, Brighton, Mi 48114, is a large, secluded condo for sale.

Large Secluded Townhome - $145,000.00

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2

Year Built: 1989

Subdivision: Lake Edgewood Townhomes

Attached on: 1 Side

Garage Size: 2 car

School District: Howell

Square Footage: 1320

Agent Name: Kim Johnson

Broker: Keller Williams Ann Arbor

MLS #: 2910657

Price: $145,000.00

7799 Silver Plume

Brighton, MI 48114

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Range/Oven
Full Refrigerator
Washer/Dryer
Dishwasher
Sink Disposal

Vaulted Ceilings
Basement

Patio
Grass Lawn
Secluded setting
Deck
Paver Patio

Open, immaculate, light filled end unit with Cathedral ceiling in expansive great room. Plentiful counter and cupboard space in neutral kitchen complete with appliances. Full walkout basement, 1/2 of basement is finished, the other 1/2 is started and plumbed for 3rd bath.

Take your pick of relaxing spots, your paver patio in courtyard, patio off walkout or large deck off master and great room with view of pond and woods. Cable included in Assoc dues.

Missy Caulk

734-216-2822

Equal Housing Opportunity

VFLYER ID: 2950185

All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change

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Speechless Sunday, My favorite sites in Washington.

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:51:04 -0600

We just returned from our trip to the D.C area last night. I could have spent a week there. Although I have vistied D.C many times there is so much to see and take in.

My favorite place to visit was the WWII Memorial. No wait it was Arlington Cemetery, no wait it was the Viet Nam Veterans Memorial.

Oh well I loved it all. My photos are all on Flickr.

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Missy Caulk & Team can be reached at 734-216-2822 or email: Missy@MissyCaulk.com

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National Museum of the Marine Corp

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:03:43 -0600

Yesterday while the big bird was cooking, we went over to the National Museum of the Marine Corp.

The museum is located about 10 minutes from my relatives house in Stafford, off Jefferson Davis Highway. Wow what a fabulous museum.

I have a bunch of photos on flickr if you want to see a lot of them.

It is built like the flag raisers of the Iwo Jima.

I am so glad I took the time to visit the National Museum of the Marine Corp.

My husband was a Marine during the Viet Nam era. But, he played on the Marine Corp football team so didn't go to Viet Nam. His brother Mark was in Viet Nam.

It makes you so thankful to live in America and to have such a dedicated military to keep us safe and for Freedom and Liberty to be defended throughout the world.

The National Museum of the Marine Corp is located at

18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy.

Triangle, VA 22172

A Great American Holiday...Thanksgiving

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:21:36 -0600

Modern History

Thanksgiving Day is this Thursday, we will all gather together with our families and friends to celebrate this American Holiday.

Over 45 million turkeys will be consumed, kids will get up early to watch the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade, The Detroit Lions will play football and many will get ready to go shopping on Black Friday.

Traditions

The first football game was broadcast in 1934. It started in Detroit with the Detroit Lions and continues till this day. Even though we are far from the better teams and haven’t been for years, it is the tradition.

The Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924, a kick off to the Christmas season. Now most of the stores offer shopping deals for early birds commonly known as Black Friday.

Our History

However, our history of this great American Holiday gets its roots, in the history of the founding or our Nation.

In 1621 the first Thanksgiving occurred after the long, cold winter of 1620 when over half of the Colonist died. Making friends with the Native American Indian tribe, the Wampanoag who taught them how to plant and fish. The harvest was so large they came together and shared their bounty.

After that in the fall of each year each colony came together and set aside their own days to celebrate Thanksgiving. It was much longer than a day usually 3 days. It was also set aside as a religious holiday to set aside time to be grateful to God with fasting and prayers.
In 1777 the Continental Congress set aside a day to thank God for the blessing of the Liberty.

In 1863 Sarah Josepha Hale, (Mary Had a Little Lamb) began a one-woman letter writing campaign to set aside a day of Thanksgiving for our Nation. At the time, Sarah’s thoughts were:

"There is a deep moral influence in these periodical seasons of rejoicing, in which whole communities participate. They bring out . . . the best sympathies in our natures."

"If every state would join in Union Thanksgiving on the 24th of this month, would it not be a renewed pledge of love and loyalty to the Constitution of the United States?"

Abraham Lincoln finally proclaimed a Day of Thanksgiving for the fourth Tuesday of November. However, back then we didn’t have computers and each of the thousands of letters spanned over 4 decades and 5 Presidents were hand written.

Thanksgiving Day was changed in November 1941 to the last Thursday in November by Franklin Roosevelt (to extend the Christmas shopping season and boost the economy)

Today

Today we face some of the biggest challenges our nation has ever endured, there are people losing their homes, unemployment is high, (15% in Michigan) a National debt that we are leaving to our children and grandchildren, and yet we keep spending.

Since when do we spend our way out of debt? I know my family doesn’t, we cut back. That is common sense. Yet our legislature continues to spend…but it is not our money, we don’t have any. So we borrow and become more in debt to China.

I hate politics.

I hate buying of votes.

I hate earmarks for things that benefit one state and yet we all pay for.

I hate changing of words to mean one thing when they really mean another.

Heck I hate all of this worse than loosing to Ohio State.

Like Sarah Hale, I would like to call for all the Senators and Congressman and everyday citizens to renew their pledge of love and loyalty to the Constitution of the United States?"

Read the constitution it is only 6 pages long including the Bill of Rights.

Lets return to the documents that gave us Liberty. They clearly outlined our God given rights and the limited responsibilities of our federal government.

Somehow during the pumpkin pie, shopping,parades and football we can set aside a time to remember them, read them and be thankful.

**Thank you to all my subscribers who follow my blog on Activerain. I am so THANKFUL for you and never take for granted your friendship.*

Parts originally posted on AgentGenius.

1243 Heatherwood Condo in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:21:16 -0600

1243 Heatherwood is located in Ann Arbor Michigan and in the Heatherwood Community. Original owner with many custom features.

The absolute best feature is the location in the community.

1243 Heatherwood is a large 1375 end-unit with a gorgeous, private view of the pond. You can actually sit on your patio, enjoy the tree-lined water view.

Perfect for buyers who don't want to do any steps as you walk right in to this private entrance.

Ann Arbor Real Estate has more details.

Virtual Tour

Master-bedroom suite with separate shower, double vanities, soaking tub and extra cabinets.

Two master closets both with California Closets built in both.

Office features bookcases and gorgeous water view.

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A Chart is Worth a Thousand Words or not....

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:44:17 -0600

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Missy Caulk & Team can be reached at 734-216-2822 or email: Missy@MissyCaulk.com

Originally posted on Ann Arbor Real Estate Talk

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Speechless Sunday, The Gandy Dancer in Ann Arbor

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:09:23 -0600

The Gandy Dancer is located at 401 Depot Street in Ann Arbor. It is the old train station and the Amtrack trains go by traveling between Chicago and Detroit. It was built in the 1880's and has a fantatic atmosphere. This is one of the signs inside the building.

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Michigan vs. Ohio State Today

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:53:28 -0600

Leaving for the game at 8:00 AM

We've had a disappointing season...but it is Michigan vs Ohio State....so anything can happen.

Last night @activebob and @christacaulk went to the Pep Rally at University of Michigan.

I made tuna and macaronni salad. LOL

"Remember 1969" has been the cry around Ann Arbor this week.

It has been 40 years.

Coach Bo Schembechler’s reflections on this match-up are as relevant today as ever.

“If anything means anything in the football business, it is the way a team – a collection of men – can perform the way we did against Ohio State in 1969. It doesn’t happen very often. Sometimes it never happens – not in a whole lifetime. Everything has to be right. The time. The place. The conditions. The setting. And the men. We had it all – just once maybe – but we had it that day in November of ’69 .”

All the players from the 1969 are in town and are honorary captains.

Nine years ago ESPN called the Michigan vs Ohio State University game the biggest rivalry in the nation for college football. I know other schools don't "get it".

But we do.

Right? Elaine and David...my two blogging buddies from OH IO ?

I found this OLD plate in a restaurant, thought it was cool and shot a photo.

GO BLUE !!!

2916 Sharon, Ann Arbor, Not a Short Sale

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:55:16 -0600

For sale in Ann Arbor, priced at $135.000. (not a short sale) 2916 Sharon in Ann Arbor.

Charming bungalow, on a bus route with easy access to University of Michigan and downtown Ann Arbor.

Wonderful fenced back yard with separate gardening area, 2 car garage and a finished basement.

Hardwood floors throughout, new windows,updated electrical and plumbing. Cute and affordable.

Virtual Tour

Flickr Photos

Ann Arbor Real Estate Details of 2916 Sharon, Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor Real Estate Talk

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Purchasing a HUD Home-Misconceptions and Advantages

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:05:13 -0600

Ann Arbor and Saline residents, want to buy a HUD home ?

Here are some things you need to know.

Note the sentence that says, "The process for buying a HUD home is different from a normal home purchase. Access to view HUD homes and place bids is restricted to a HUD approved real estate agent."

The Missy Caulk Team is approved to help you submit bids on HUD homes. We have access for you on the McBreo Website.

Thanks to Deanne, for the re-blog.

Via Deanne Olivas (American Allstar Realty):

When purchasing a HUD home, there are misconceptions to replace with facts and advantages to consider. The following is information about the purchase of Arizona HUD homes.

First, exactly what is a HUD home? When a home is purchased with a FHA (Federal Housing Administration which is a sub-agency of HUD) insured loan and the borrower defaults on the loan, the lender may file a claim against the FHA insurance fund and convey ownership to HUD who then sells the home at market value to get back some of the loss from the foreclosure.

One misconception I have heard is that HUD homes are always in poor condition. I find that just like bank owned or short sales, HUD homes can be very clean and well taken care of or a disaster or anywhere in between. One of the advantages to a HUD home is that before HUD homes are listed, HUD orders an appraisal and property/pest inspection of the home. Anyone can go to the HUD website http://www.mcbreo.com/and read the report to see the condition of the property before viewing it.

If the property inspection determined that the property needs repairs but less than $5,000 and the buyer is using an FHA insured loan, for the home to be eligible for the FHA loan an escrow repair is established to cover the costs of the repairs to the home. The costs of the repairs are included in the loan amount and repaid by the borrower as part of the house payment.

It is advised that a potential buyer conduct their own home inspection by hiring a competent inspector. HUD homes are sold in "as-is "condition and HUD makes no warranties or quarantees about the condition of the home and will make no repairs. This is also the case in the purchase of a lender owned foreclosure property.

Another advantage for owner occupants (person that will live in the home as his or her primary residence within 30 days of the close of escrow) who are interested in purchasing a HUD home is that during the first 10 days a HUD property is listed to the general public, there is no competition from investors. Bids from Owner Occupant Purchasers only are accepted. All bids placed by Owner Occupants that are submitted during those ten days are opened on the 11th day and are considered as though they were received simultaneously. If there is no winning bid during those ten days the bidding is opened to include investors.

Another misconception is that HUD provides loans to persons who would not under other circumstances qualify for a loan. HUD does not provide financing for its properties. Before a person can place a bid on a HUD home they must be pre-approved for a real estate loan or have proof of sufficent cash to purchase.

A great advantage for those who do not have the downpayment required for a typical loan is that a buyer can purchase a HUD home for as little as $100 down. It is important to discuss the costs with an experienced lender and the price to bid with a HUD approved agent. Before a bid can be submitted, the buyer must have on deposit with the real estate broker an earnest deposit check. If the purchase price is $50,000 or less the required check amount is $500. If the purchase price is more than $50,000 the check amount is $1,000. Any unused portion will be reimbursed to the buyer at close of escrow.

The advantage of the sealed bid process is it eliminates many of the hassles associated with the typical lender owned or preforeclosure transaction where bidding wars and long waits are common. If during the first ten days of owner occupant bidding, no offer is accepted, bids are reviewed daily and the bidder with the winning bid is notified the following day. If more than one acceptable bid is placed, the bid with the highest net amount to HUD wins the sale.

If you have hesitated about considering purchasing a HUD home, realize that these properties open up another opportunity for purchasing a home at an afforadable price. With the assistance of an experienced HUD approved agent and a lender who understands the process, replace the misconceptions with facts and consider the advantages of purchasing a HUD home.

The process for buying a HUD home is different from a normal home purchase. Access to view HUD homes and place bids is restricted to a HUD approved real estate agent. For a partial list of AZ HUD homes http://www.eastvalleyphoenixhomes.com/hudhomes.html).

To get a list of all HUD homes that meet your criteria or to discuss if a HUD home purchase would be in your best interest, call Deanne Olivas, an approved HUD agent, at American Allstar Realty 480 452-5567.
Deanne Olivas

American Allstar Realty

480 452-5567

http://eastvalleyphoenixhomes.com

Wordless Wednesday, Afternoon Delight in Ann Arbor

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:11:08 -0600

Afternoon Delight in Ann Arbor Michigan.

Everybody is doing it. Using Facebook to promote their business.

Are you?

Yummy Menu...great breakfasts.

I actually won an award from posting this photo on Flickr from Schmap Detroit Guide. I don't really think of myself as a photographer, I just enjoy taking photos.

But, it was nice to get the recognition on one of my favorite restaurants in Ann Arbor.

One of the benefits of blogging on Activerain, is enjoying taking photos of my community.

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Missy Caulk & Team can be reached at 734-216-2822 or email: Missy@MissyCaulk.com

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Search the Ann Arbor Area MLS.

Google Profile

Market Reports in Real Time Updated Weekly

Profit from Technology for Realtors and Lenders

My Favorite Quotes for the Week of November 16-November 22, 2009

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:46:37 -0600

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate
cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. We must learn to
live together as brothers, or perish together as fools.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

He who permits himself to tell a lie once, finds it much easier
to do it a second and third time, till at length it becomes
habitual; he tells lies without attending to it, and truths
without the world's believing him.

Thomas Jefferson

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."

John Quincy Adams

“Whether we believe in our capacity for self-government or whether we abandon the American Revolution and confess that a little intellectual elite in a far-distant capital can plan our lives for us... better than we can plan them ourselves.”

Ronald Reagan.

John Hancock: 1st Signer of the Declaration of Independence: "Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. ... Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us."

History of the United States of America, Vol. II, p. 229.

“In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” -

Thomas Jefferson

“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.”

James Madison

Feel free to add your favorite quotes.

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Missy Caulk & Team can be reached at 734-216-2822 or email: Missy@MissyCaulk.com

Free Home Evaluation

Search the Ann Arbor Area MLS.

Google Profile

Market Reports in Real Time Updated Weekly

Profit from Technology for Realtors and Lenders

Speechless Sunday, My Sons Wedding

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:55:43 -0600

Matthew Michael and Shelley Faye Caulk

November 6th, 2009

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Missy Caulk & Team can be reached at 734-216-2822 or email: Missy@MissyCaulk.com

Free Home Evaluation

Search the Ann Arbor Area MLS.

Google Profile

Market Reports in Real Time Updated Weekly

Profit from Technology for Realtors and Lenders

Ann Arbor Michigan is One of Top 15 Cities for Commuters to Live In

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:46:52 -0600

Ann Arbor is ranked in the top 15 cities for commuters to live in.

In a new report published this week by US News and World Report and featured on Yahoo Real Estate, it was said:

Ann Arbor, Mich.  Average commute time: 18.4 minutes .

Non-car commuters: 27.5 percent

Since it is one of the best-known college towns in America, it shouldn't be surprising that Ann Arbor is not car-heavy. Many of the city's major employers, such as the academic journal service JSTOR, the weather service Weather Underground, and the headquarters for Google's AdWords service are based downtown. That centralized location and Ann Arbor's compact nature make commuting easy for walkers, bikers, and bus riders.

Slide Show

Read more on Ann Arbor Best Places to Live

Homes to buy in Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor Area Market Report by School District, October 2009

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:47:46 -0600

Each month the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors publishes our annual market reports. In Ann Arbor our MLS is searched by school district.

Here is the October Market Report for the Ann Arbor Area.

Ann Arbor in Photos.

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Missy Caulk & Team can be reached at 734-216-2822 or email: Missy@MissyCaulk.com

Free Home Evaluation

Search the Ann Arbor Area MLS.

Google Profile

Market Reports in Real Time Updated Weekly

Profit from Technology for Realtors and Lenders

10 Reasons Why The Holiday Season Is A Great Time To Sell

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:46:07 -0600

Ann Arbor and Saline Sellers, should you try to sell during the Christmas Holidays?

Via Kim Boekholder, Murray Utah, Sandy Utah, Salt Lake County, Utah MLS Listings, UT (Relocation, Short SalesK.W. Utah Realtors, Associate Broker ):

10 Reasons Why The Holiday Season Is A Great Time To Sell. Below is a list of reasons why now is the time to list.... Don't wait until spring.

*Sellers are dropping out of the market for holidays, less competition

*Buyers who are looking in the winter tend to be more serious buyers.

*Singles, couples, and empty nesters tend to wait while school is in session to buy, less competition for them.

*Interest rates are at an all time low

*Buyer scan buy more house right now.

*February and March produce the highest amount of homes sales, but November and December and January don't have as many homes for sale so there is a higher ration of homes sold to those for sale.

*The holiday spirit can help sell your home, you decorate for your guests, but buyers will find your home more charming while it is decorated for the season.

*Most homes are never cleaner and never smell better, or are better decorated than during the holiday season.

*If you don't want to move during the holidays you can negotiate possession for your own convenience.

*Sellers can usually negotiate their best deals during the holiday season.

Sellers who take their homes off the market or postpone selling them during the holidays won't save any money; they will simply postpone their own dreams and perhaps find more competition when they decide to enter the market again.

Are you ready to postpone your dreams or are you ready to move ahead and live your future now?

Kim Boekholder, Keller Williams, Moving to Utah? Moving Around Utah? Contact me for help

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iUtah - Utah      For Utah places to go and things to do. KSL's community Calendar.

p.s. "By the way, if a friend or family member you know could use a caring and competent agent, I would enjoy meeting them. Thanks for thinking of me with your referrals. I am certified in short sales, foreclsoures, buying, selling, investing, luxury homes, relocation.

Kim Boekholder Associate Broker,

Keller Williams Utah Realtors, Chair Ambassador Murray Chamber

Specializing in Short Sales and Relocation

Mobile: 801-580-5624
Fax:     801-303-8556
boeks@msn.com

Keller Williams a great place to hang your license.

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Foreseeably Harder Approvals: FHA gets tough

Saline Christmas Parade 2009

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Interactive Data for Ann Arbor with Flash Charts

Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester and Ypsilanti Market Reports

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Speechless Sunday, My favorite sites in Washington.

National Museum of the Marine Corp

A Great American Holiday...Thanksgiving

****Thank you to all my subscribers who follow my blog on Activerain. I am so THANKFUL for you and never take for granted your friendship.***

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GO BLUE !!!

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My Favorite Quotes for the Week of November 16-November 22, 2009

Speechless Sunday, My Sons Wedding

Ann Arbor Michigan is One of Top 15 Cities for Commuters to Live In

Ann Arbor Area Market Report by School District, October 2009

10 Reasons Why The Holiday Season Is A Great Time To Sell

**Thank you to all my subscribers who follow my blog on Activerain. I am so THANKFUL for you and never take for granted your friendship.*